COVID-19

Update on Campus Safety and Students’ Return from Spring Break

THIS POST IS A REPUBLISHED VERSION OF AN EMAIL COMMUNICATION SENT BY AUP PRESIDENT CELESTE M. SCHENCK ON FEBRUARY 28, 2020, ABOUT COVID-19 AND AUP'S RESPONSE. IT IS PART OF OUR SAFETY & SECURITY BLOG THAT ROUNDS UP ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

Dear Parents,

Following yesterday’s email about AUP’s response to the developments regarding Covid-19, we are reaching out to clarify the steps that will be taken to ensure the safety of the AUP community and  to support students returning from currently designated at-risk areas: China, Singapore, Iran, South Korea or northern Italy (Milan, Venice).

In line with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the French Health Ministry, all students returning from an at-risk area will be required to respect a 14-day self-quarantine.

As an additional precautionary measure, any students who have had significant personal contact (i.e. shared a room, or personal items such as a water bottle or communal food) with students returning from an at-risk area will be required to respect the self-quarantine.

The self-quarantine can be carried out in the students’ homes in Paris or, if the student has yet to return to Paris from Spring Break, in the homes of friends or family in locations that are not at risk. Please be aware of the following information in order to ensure the safety and security of all students.

Any student who has not yet responded to our Spring Break Travel Survey must do so immediately. Students who have not filled in the survey, along with students undertaking self-quarantine, will have their access cards to AUP’s campus temporarily deactivated. Members of staff will be on site at building entrances to advise students whose access has been temporarily revoked.

HOW TO SELF-QUARANTINE

Self-quarantine is a simple preventive measure and should not be cause for concern, but it does require taking practical steps to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19:

  • Keep a close eye on your health, taking your temperature twice a day and monitoring your symptoms from home. Common symptoms of Covid-19 include:
    • Fever 
    • Sore throat
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Muscle aches
    • Diarrhea
  • Do not go to the hospital or a doctor as this can increase the risk of spreading the virus.
  • In the case that you show any symptoms please immediately contact International SOS (01 55 63 36 35) or the AUP Health Office (01 40 62 05 77 or healthataup.edu ()) for advice and support, or your local Covid-19 helpline if self-quarantining outside of Paris.
  • Avoid all non-essential outings, particularly to public spaces such as cinema, bars and restaurants.
  • Avoid visiting anywhere with a high number of at-risk individuals, including hospitals, schools or creches, and assisted-living communities.
  • There is no need to stockpile or panic-buy: short trips to the grocery store are not a problem, and most supermarkets offer options for online shopping and delivery.
  • If you have a part time job, you must inform your employer if you have been to an at-risk area and follow your employer's instructions. Remember to avoid contact with at-risk individuals: for example, it would be best to avoid babysitting during quarantine.

Students in quarantine will receive the full support of the Health, Residential Life, Guidance Counseling and Academic Affairs offices, who will also ensure that students are able to keep up with their academic work from home.

In light of the constantly evolving situation, AUP will continue to collaborate closely with International SOS and our network of medical specialists while following recommendations from the World Health Organization and the French Ministry of Health. We will keep students and parents updated with relevant information in the days and weeks ahead.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with AUP’s Parents Relations Manager Dana Callaghan at parentsataup.edu.

Warmest,

Celeste Schenck